Neighbourhood shops allowed to open

New Delhi, April 25

Further easing lockdown restrictions in non-containment zones, the Centre has allowed opening of neighbourhood and standalone shops, including those in residential complexes, within the municipal limits.

The order was issued late last night. Clarifying the order, MHA Joint Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said: “In rural areas, all shops except those in shopping malls are allowed to open. In urban areas, except the containment zones, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and those in residential complexes are allowed to open.”

As the MHA order mentioned that all shops registered under the “Shops and Establishment Act of respective states/UTs, including shops in residential complexes, market complexes, neighborhood and standalone, are now allowed to re-open”. After a flood of queries on liquor outlets and barber shops, the MHA clarified: “All restaurants, salons and barber shops would remain closed.” — TNS